Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity

March 5, 2015

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Reasons why Overweight must be defeated

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity include diabetes, heart diseases, Risk of cancer and many more

Being overweight or obese is not a beautifying problem. These conditions subject your life to great risks of chronic health problems. If you were not aware of this, then you are in the right place. We want to share with you some of the known risks of overweight and obesity to help you be careful with the way you live your life. We are privilege to have experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of Doctor Dalal Akoury to help us get the facts right. Being obese or overweight has got several problems not just for the adults but to everybody age and status not withstanding as is stated in the narrations below.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Coronary Heart Disease

There is what is considered are healthy weight but whenever one goes beyond it, by way of body mass index rises, problems then begin from there and so does the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). This is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries are responsible for the supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

Plaque can narrow or block the coronary arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart muscle. This can cause angina or a heart attack. (Angina is chest pain or discomfort). Besides this, obesity can also lead to heart failure. And heart failures are very serious condition in which your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: High Blood Pressure

Take note that blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways. Your chances of having high blood pressure are greater if you’re overweight or obese.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Stroke

Being overweight or obese can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture, causing a blood clot to form. If the clot is close to your brain, it can block the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain and cause a stroke. The risk of having a stroke rises as BMI increases.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s blood glucose, or blood sugar, level rises too high. Under normal circumstances, the body will break down food into glucose and then transmits it to cells throughout the body. The cells use a hormone called insulin to turn the glucose into energy. In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells don’t use insulin properly. The very first thing the body does is to reacts by producing more insulin. By and by the body becomes incapacitated so that making enough insulin to control its blood sugar level becomes difficult hence the problem of type 2 diabetes. Currently this is one of the leading causes of premature deaths, stroke, kidney problems and even blindness. And the most frustrating thing is that of all the affected people, majority are overweight or obese.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Abnormal Blood Fats

Being overweight or obese strategically causes you to be vulnerable of having abnormal levels of blood fats. These include high levels of triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Abnormal levels of these blood fats are a risk factor for CHD. This may be brief and so I want to encourage you to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for a more in depth and professional insight.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems like diabetes and stroke. You may develop any of these risk factors in singular, but in most cases they tend to occur together. When this happens a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is done and if you have at least three of the following risk factors, then you need to be on the watch out for metabolic syndrome:

A large waistline. This is called abdominal obesity or having an apple shape. Having extra fat in the waist area is a greater risk factor for CHD than having extra fat in other parts of the body, such as on the hips.
A higher than normal triglyceride level (or you’re on medicine to treat high triglycerides).
A lower than normal HDL cholesterol level (or you’re on medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol).
Higher than normal blood pressure (or you’re on medicine to treat high blood pressure).
Higher than normal fasting blood sugar (or you’re on medicine to treat diabetes).

Cancer

Being overweight or obese raises your risk for contracting various types of cancers including colon, breast, endometrial, and gallbladder cancers.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint problem of the knees, hips, and lower back. The condition occurs if the tissue that protects the joints wears away. Extra weight can put more pressure and wear on joints, causing pain.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. A person who has sleep apnea may have more fat stored around the neck. This can narrow the airway, making it hard to breathe.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a breathing disorder that affects some obese people. In OHS, poor breathing results in too much carbon dioxide (hypoventilation) and too little oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia). This condition if not addressed in good time can lead to serious health problems and may even cause death.

Finally this is just a small collection of known health risks of overweight and obesity. It therefore means that the list is not complete and so you can get further information relating to these complications from the home of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury today.

Known Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity: Reasons why Overweight must be defeated

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating

March 5, 2015

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: The New Eating Disorder

The relationship between obesity and binge eating affects the mind and remember that Obesity is a medical illness, not a psychiatric disorder.

Overweight and obesity have been characterized with poor and unhealthy feeding habits among other factors. We have in the past dwelt much on the effects of obesity and overweight because of the dangers surrounding the two conditions. For the purpose of this article we want to look at the relationship between obesity and binge eating. We will be exploring the possibilities of binge eating facilitating being obese or overweight. And as professionals we are determined to informing the public of all they need to know to be safe and have a healthy life. We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center about this and she will be helping us unlock certain facts about the relationship between obesity and binge eating. But before we get there, let us try to understand more about this eating disorder. Experts are warning that if nothing is not done soon, then Top of Form Binge Eating Disorder (BED) will soon join in the ranks of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) as official eating disorders. It must be appreciated that Binge Eating Disorder is a distinct entity and not just the extreme overeating that plagues many societies. Even though its cause is unclear, it is similar to Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, whose treatment methodology is always bio-psycho-social.

As a society we have a duty on our part to increase awareness and understanding of the severity of this disorder. The danger looms over us with close association of BED and obesity, the sooner we address it the better because very soon this disorder is becoming a major public health issue that presents both medical and psychiatric issues that impair the quality of life. Even though binge eating is characterized by insatiable cravings that can occur any time of the day or night, usually secretive, and filled with shame. It is important to note that bingeing is often rooted in poor body image, use of food to deal with stress, low self-esteem and tied to dysfunctional thoughts. BED does not exist in the presence of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa. Although there are similar characteristics between those with BN and BED, those with BED do not purge. There are no compensatory mechanisms associated with the binge to get rid of the calories, so individuals with BED are more likely to be overweight or obese, while patients with BN may be under weight, normal weight or overweight.

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: Does this describe you?

It is in the middle of the night and you this ice cream carton in hand, and you can’t just stop eating, you continue until every drop is gone. Or you are in the car you’re anxiously looking for that bag of pretzels you hid in the back seat. You know you will have to finish the entire bag, even though you don’t want to. And as if this is not enough, you’re planning your next stop at the local convenient store to load up on a dozen doughnuts which is your favorite binge food. Doctor Akoury is trying to make you understand what binge eating is all about. She give one of the best illustration that it is as addictive as alcohol drinking or cigarette smoking. Those who use there drugs wouldn’t just stop even if they want to. It is in the same way that binge eaters can’t stop at one cookie or ice cream.

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: What does BED look like?

This vicious cycle of recurrent bingeing without purging brings feelings of despair, disgust, and a sense of loss of control. As a consequence of the binge, fears become reality and weight gain follows. As a result, emotional and physical distress can become so severe that work, school and even social relationships begin to be impaired.

Differentiating between overeating and binge eating is sometimes difficult, even for the eating disorder professionals. Compulsive eating, emotional eating are terms that have been around for years. BED is a distinct entity and not merely the occasional craving, over-eating when you are hungry, or the overindulgence during the holidays. It is important to appreciate that each binge is different, just as every craving is different, and every binge eater is different but the scenario is the same.

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: Criteria for Diagnosis of BED

You can carry out your own self-assessment while considering the following to certain your position in terms of BED:

Loss of control over amount of eating
Marked distress over binge episode
Occurs at least 1x per week for 3 month
Eating more rapidly than normal (i.e. 2 hrs. period
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty over after overeating

If this suits your description, then you need to seek for further and more professional help from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: Biological Issues Related to BED

Now that we are well conversant with what binge eating is let us get back to our topic of discussion which is the relationship between obesity and binge eating. You should be very watchful of the following:

Genetics – Although genes can make it harder to make healthy choices and make fighting weight and BED an uphill battle, genes alone do not totally determine a person’s physical or emotional destiny. Environment, ability to rework thoughts, make other decisions, etc. are also factors.

Depression – The incidence of depression is very high in individuals with BED and may need to be further evaluated.

Restrictive dieting – If you have BED, sticking to a traditional weight loss program may be difficult.

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: BED is a treatable disorder

Here are some basic goals for a successful outcome:

Decrease or better still stop binging episodes. It is possible and with determination, you do it.
With the help of weight loss experts you can be assisted to attain and maintain a healthy weight
Treat any co-existing psychiatric disorders
Correct any self-defeating thoughts, feelings, behaviors or situations that trigger a binge.

What is the relationship between BED and being obese or over-weight?

Obesity is a medical illness, not a psychiatric disorder – It is important to understand that if you are healthy (no medical problems), have a healthy attitude (realistic about weight , body image) and have healthy behaviors (healthy eating habits, moderate exercise) then for the most part, whatever weight you are and can sustain is a healthy weight for you. Wellness not weight should be the determining factor. Body mass index (BMI), which defines overweight and obesity, is just one factor, not the sole determining factor for wellness.

Being overweight or obese does NOT mean you have BED – Not everyone who is overweight binges or has BED. Considering what is normal in most culture, giant portion size, sedentary life style and high caloric fast foods, a person doesn’t have to binge to be overweight. And that is why you need to get professional help from the experts. What is normal could be a serious factor in the whole equation. Therefore make appoint of scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury for further deliberation about binge eating and overweight or obesity.

The relationship between obesity and Binge Eating: The New Eating Disorder

The Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity

March 4, 2015

The Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: The time bomb in waiting

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is worrying. If we don’t correct things now, we may be passing the wrong mantle to the next generation

In the resent past the available statistics about the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has been on the rise. Yet there is very little indication that it is soon going away, at least from the statistics available. Even though it is a global problem, US is one of the country that is most affected with records showing that in just three decades the problem has tripled. Currently it is estimated that one in five children in the US is overweight. Despite this worrying trend, experts are reporting that even the already overweight children are further becoming heavier every day. And as if that is not enough, there is fear that the overweight or obese preschool going children are 5 times more likely than normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults. It is because of this that childhood overweight is regarded as the most common prevalent nutritional disorder of US children and adolescents, and one of the most common problems seen by pediatricians.

For how long are we going to keep making reference to the statistic that does not appear to change in the right direction? Like minded professionals like doctor Dalal Akoury are among those who are doing all it takes to bring a difference. In her effort to impact positively in people’s lives Dr. Akoury founded a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Our children should not be allowed to go through this. We are all aware of the health complications associated with being overweight or obese. I pose a question to you do you want them to face the chronic diseases associated with overweight and obesity? I can guess your answer is NO and that is why Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. If you could start by scheduling for an appointment with her to get her professional input in all this, then you will be taking the first relay line towards eliminating the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity.

The Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: Consequences of Childhood Overweight

The consequences of being overweight or obese are not anything you would wish for your worse enemies. Both the short term and long term effects of overweight on health are of concern because of the negative psychological and health consequences in childhood. We are often told that we have this life once and we can only live it that way. If we are in agreement with that then I want to pose a second question. Why do we allow the following negative psychological overweight outcomes to ruin the life of our children?

Depressive symptoms
Poor Body Image
Low Self-Concept
Risk for Eating Disorders
Behavior and Learning Problems

The negative effects are not just psychological but also come with negative health consequences. The following are some of the health consequences we are subjecting our children to if we don’t make a complete overhaul of our attitude towards obesity and overweight:

Type 2 Diabetes
Low HDL Cholesterol levels in the blood
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty infiltration and inflammation of the liver)
Asthma
Hypertension
Sleep Apnea
Insulin Resistance
Early puberty
Orthopedic problems such as Blount’s disease and slipped capital femoral epiphysis
High Total and LDL Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood

Besides this if nothing is done then the communication we are passing on is that, this is a problem to be passed to the next generation and the vicious cycle continues. Nevertheless, obese children are more likely to be obese as adults, hence they are at increased risk for a number of diseases including: stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers.

The Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: Contributors to Childhood Overweight

Food Choices – diets higher in calories (including fats and simple sugars) and lower in fruits and vegetables are linked with overweight

Physical Activity vs. Sedentary Activity – less physical activity and more time spent participating in activities such as watching TV results in less energy expenditure

Parental Obesity – children of obese parents are more likely to be overweight themselves. There is an inherited component to childhood overweight that makes it easier for some children to become overweight than others. There are a number of single gene mutations (“genetic alterations”) that are capable of causing severe childhood overweight, though these are rare. Even children with genetic risk for overweight will still only become overweight if they consume more calories than they use. Parental obesity may also reflect a family environment that promotes excess eating and insufficient activity.

Eating Patterns – skipping meals or failure to maintain a regular eating schedule can result in increased intakes when food is eaten.

Parenting Style – some researchers believe that excess parental control over children’s eating might lead to poor self-regulation of kid’s energy intake.

Diabetes during pregnancy – overweight and type 2 diabetes occur with greater frequency in the offspring of diabetic mothers (who are also more likely to be obese)

Low Birth Weight – Low birth weight is a risk factor for overweight in several epidemiological studies.

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy – Several studies have shown that excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight and overweight later in life.

Formula Feeding – Breast feeding is generally recommended over formula feeding. Although the exact mechanism in unknown, several long-term studies suggest that breast feeding may prevent excess weight gain as children grow.

Parental Eating and Physical Activity Habits – Parents with poor nutritional habits and who lead sedentary lifestyles role model these behaviors for their children, thereby creating an “obesigenic” home environment.

Demographic Factors – Certain demographic factors are associated with an increased risk of being overweight in childhood. For example, there is evidence that African-American and Hispanic children 6 to 11 years old are more likely to be overweight than are non-Hispanic white children of the same age. Asian and Pacific Islander children of the same age were slightly less likely to be overweight.

The Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: The time bomb in waiting

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk

February 28, 2015

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk: Why this is very necessary

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk is the starting point for total elimination of both obesity and cancer in our lives

For a while now we have been in serious discussion about effects of being overweight to our general health. It was very evident that being overweight and obese are not friendly at all to human health. For the purpose of this article we want to progress with that but on specific diseases. Therefore our focus is going to be focusing on the understanding weight gain and cancer risk in our lives. Doctor Dalal Akoury who has been very helpful to us is taking us through this discussion and if you have any disturbing concerns, then you can schedule for an appointment with her today for professional guidance about all your weight related concerns as well as those touching on cancer as a disease. The truth is being overweight or obese is a risk factor for several types of cancer (check on types of cancer segment). Although a higher weight may not necessarily cause cancer, the associated problem is maintaining a healthy weight is thought to be connected with a lower risk of many chronic diseases and cancer is one of the chronic diseases known. Doctor Akoury says that there are so many resources out there which can be very useful in helping you keep and maintain a healthy weight. You can talk to your doctor or dietitian to help you develop an appropriate weight loss program that can be friendly to you. In the meantime if you are with reach then you can easily call doctor Akoury for assistance. All that you need is well packaged at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by this great professional (doctor Akoury) to impact positively on people’s lives. The magnitude of the problem can be seen from the available statistics which indicate that more than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese which can either be substantial or extreme overweight. Just for purposes of jogging up your mind, when a person is overweight or obese, it means that they have too much body fat in relation to lean body tissue, such as muscle. Being overweight or obese are conditions caused by several factors including:

Genetic
Hormonal
Environmental
Emotional and
Cultural factors

People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of many serious health conditions, including type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Being overweight or obese is also associated with an increased risk of cancer which is our point of focus in this discussion.

The need of Understanding weight gain and cancer risk

Several studies have been conducted and an overwhelming number have actually established that being overweight or obese may increase cancer risk and growth. Like for instance, people who are obese have more fat tissue that can produce hormones, such as insulin or estrogen, which may cause cancer cells to grow. How your weight changes throughout your life may also affect your risk for cancer. Although more research is needed, studies have shown that the following factors can affect your cancer risk of cancer:

High birth weight is associated with higher cancer risk.
Weight gain during adulthood is consistently associated with an increased risk for several types of cancer.
Weight cycling (losing and regaining weight repeatedly) may also be a risk factor.

Research suggests that maintaining a healthy weight is associated with a lower risk of cancer and a lower risk of cancer recurrence (when cancer comes back after treatment) in cancer survivors.

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk: Types of cancer linked to overweight or obesity

We have probably discussed this before but all the same, some types of cancer appear to be closely linked to weight, although this relationship has not been proven for all cancers. Some cancers in which overweight has been found to be consistently associated with increased risk are:

Endometrium (lining of the uterus)
Uterine
Kidney
Esophageal
Gallbladder
Pancreatic
Breast (in women who have been through menopause)
Colon and rectum
Thyroid

Take note that even though further evidence is needed, being overweight has been associated with other cancers like:

Prostate
Ovarian
Multiple myeloma
Liver
Cervical
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk: Weight loss and weight management tips

To control weight gain, it is first very important to get the professional information about what you eat, how much you exercise and to make healthy choices about what you eat and drink. This may not be easy and can be quite challenging because eating a high-calorie diet is typical in most nations including the United States today. The reasons for this include a plentiful, relatively low-cost food supply and large portions. The following are some of the guidelines that can be very helpful:

Eat more vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains. Some types of food, such as broth-based soups, also help a person feel full faster.
Limit foods and beverages that are high in sugar, such as juice and soda.
Eat and drink only as many calories as you need to maintain a healthy weight and support your level of physical activity.
Increase levels of physical activity. Most people should aim for 30 to 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-intense exercise on most days. However, even a small increase in physical activity has benefits.

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk: Suggestions for people who are overweight or obese

If you are currently overweight or obese, it is best to start by taking steps to lose weight through nutrition and exercise. Aim to lose 5% to 10% of your body weight as your first goal. Most hospitals and health-care organizations have professionals on staff that can provide weight management treatment. For instance, individualized counseling provided by a dietitian can help people lose weight and provide support. If nutritional changes and increasing physical activity aren’t enough, there are other steps you can take. In the event that you are facing difficulties in managing your weight effectively in spite following the professional guidelines given then you may want to seek for a one on one appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Up on the receipt of your appointment, doctor Akoury will evaluate your individual conditions and administer treatment as is professionally require. Meanwhile the following are some of the options you will have at your disposal: A change in lifestyle behaviors – Behaviors that both reduce the amount of food eaten and increase physical activity should be changed before other weight loss treatments are considered. A registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, clinical psychologist, or doctor who specializes in weight loss can help. Medications – The use of drugs can help a person lose weight if changing diet and increasing exercise do not work.

Understanding weight gain and cancer risk: Why this is very necessary

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children

February 18, 2015

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children: What is obesity?

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children is a good foundation to give to them. Seeking for help in situations like this is very necessary

If we don’t collectively do something about it, it will stay with us for a very long time. Obesity and overweight particularly in children is not to be over looked by all standards. Research tells us a about how parents can fight the obesity epidemic for their good health of their children and even for themselves. But the question is we doing enough to bring this escalating problem to a manageable level? Let me be very specific, what are you doing to bring the problem of obesity and overweight particularly in children? As you ponder about that I want to bring to your attention that irrespective of what you are doing, AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care is doing something and are changing lives of people globally in regard to this problem. We don’t want you to be left out and so as we get into the discussion, I want to invite you and request you to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury if you or your child is struggling with obesity.

The simplest understanding of what obesity is would means having too much body fat. A child is obese if their weight is more than 20% higher than the ideal weight for a boy or girl of their age and height. These excess fats are the problem and the sooner we deal with them the better not just for us but for the generations to come. If we can pool together, then we will be we will bring up generations free of obesity and overweight. To help us do this, let us find some answers to these questions as we progress.

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children: How common is obesity and overweight?

The available statistics is worrying not just in the US but globally. However using the US as an example research indicates that in the years 1980-2000, the rate of obesity and overweight has more than double particularly in children and teens. It is no wonder that the problem is being considered an epidemic. Today figures have changed on the upward trend with about 17.1% of our children and teen being either obese or overweight. With this trend we must stop asking how common but join in the fight of the epidemic for a better tomorrow.

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children: What are the concerns about obesity in general?

Just like in the adults being obese increases a child’s risk for some serious and chronic childhood medical problems associated with overweight. Such conditions may include:

Pre-diabetes and diabetes
Heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension)
Hyperlipidemia (too much cholesterol in the blood, which can clog the arteries)
Sleep apnea and breathing problems
Bone conditions, such as hip problems
Gastro-intestinal diseases
Early puberty
Psychological problems, like poor self-esteem and depression

If this is not addressed at its initial stage, then these children are at greater risk of becoming obese adults and inheriting all the health problems associated with obesity lasting through the lifespan. These obesity-associated health problems include high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, gout, pulmonary problems, gall bladder disease, liver disease, psychosocial problems, reproductive problems, and some types of cancer.

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children: How can I tell if my child is overweight?

Just by mare observation of the size of your child is not conclusive enough to suggest that a child is overweight or obese. Periodic processional checkups are very necessary. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Akoury will help you establish the true status of your child and if found obese or overweight, the she will undertake certain natural and friendly treatment approach to help your child regain his/her healthy weight back. There are some different measurements a doctor may take to tell whether your child is overweight. Like for example:

Weight and height – can be compared and plotted on a growth chart.
Skinfold thickness – measured at the triceps (back of the upper arm) with a caliper that pinches the skin and fat together will be higher than expected in an overweight child.
The best measurement to take is body mass index (BMI). It is fairly complicated to calculate and understand. You can use the link above to read about how BMI is used with children, calculate your child’s BMI on the web calculator, and check your child’s BMI against the right chart for their age and sex to find out their percentile. Note that BMI above 85 percentile for children is at risk of overweight while that above 95 is not at risk but is overweight or obese.

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children: How do kids become obese or overweight?

Like most chronic health problems, obesity is caused by complex interactions between genes, environment and behavior or habits.
Many studies have shown that there is not a big difference in the amount of food eaten and physical activity between obese and non-obese kids. Probably small differences in eating and activity over time really add up and lead to weight gain. Obese children do tend to eat larger portions or higher calorie foods, like high-fat foods.

Physical activity and inactivity are very important factors. Actually children who take a lot of time on the screen and playing video games are potential overweight and obese candidates. In other wards such activities does not encourage movement and therefore little or no calories are burnt resulting into being obese or overweight. What is worrying is that most schools where our children attend do not have playing grounds. One would want to get solace that in place of playing ground there would be a well finished gym. You will be very disappointed if you thought so. All that is available is more rooms for class rooms, kitchen where unhealthy food is prepared and probably the administration blocks. Now if our children spend the better part of their lives in school and this is the kind of environment we have, what is the hope of losing weight?

In our introduction I said that at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care we are doing something and are changing lives of people globally. We intend to make a difference in the society and beyond. Doctor Akoury actually founded this facility center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. Remember that if you don’t do something today, they you are transferring the many chronic complications associated with obesity and overweight to the next generation through your children.

If by reading this article you feel that you need help in eliminating this problem completely, then schedule for that very important appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today and let us help you bring up children with healthy weight for a healthy society. As you consider that it is also very important to remember that children coming from families with obese parents tend to be obese themselves. Like for instance in the event that one parent is obese or overweight, their teen has an 80% chance of being overweight. Why is this so? This is probably because of a combination of genetics and family behavior and habits. Children of moms who have diabetes are more likely to be overweight.

Obesity and Overweight particularly in Children: What is obesity?

Tag Archives: Obesity and overweight